(Physorg)–A major lead for potential new treatment for people with Parkinson’s Disease has been discovered by a team at Cardiff University.

The study, funded by Parkinson’s UK, has been published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers have identified an overactive pathway inside nerve cells that could be ‘turned down’ to potentially halt or reduce the uncontrollable movements called dyskinesia, which are an unwanted side effect of Levodopa, one of the main drugs for Parkinson’s.

Although Levodopa is one of the best treatments available, dyskinesia is one of the main problems. These are involuntary movements which can mean that people’s bodies distort or their arms or legs jerk uncontrollably.

Dyskinesia is different from the resting tremor that is usually associated with Parkinson’s. The movements are one of the most distressing side effects of taking Parkinson’s drugs. Dyskinesia make day to day life with Parkinson’s even more challenging. Many of the things which we take for granted, such as sitting still, writing, walking or dressing become difficult or impossible.

The international study involved also researchers from Sweden, France, Italy and China and was co-funded by several partners, including Parkinson’s UK and the Michael J Fox Foundation. Parkinson’s UK awarded £400,000 to lead researcher Dr. Riccardo Brambilla, of Cardiff School of Biosciences.

The study shows how a chain of events inside nerve cells called the Ras-ERK pathway becomes hyperactive and leads to dyskinesia. Dr. Brambilla’s team was able to stop dyskinesia in animal models by turning down the activity of two key parts of this overactive pathway.

Dr. Brambilla said: “Our work will pave the way for effective new treatments that can reduce or prevent dyskinesia. The challenge will be to target and block the right nerve cells in the brain which cause dyskinesia, without interfering with the positive benefits of Levodopa.”

Dr. Kieran Breen, Director of Research and Development at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We know just how distressing and widespread dyskinesia can be.

This research is an important step forward in the search for better treatments that will make a real difference to the quality of life and confidence of thousands of people with Parkinson’s.

A recent new study found that children in a divorce family are 200% more likely to suffer a stroke in their adulthood than children of intact families. The study is showing the association between divorce and stroke, not that divorce causes strokes.

The findings are based on a survey of more than 13,000 people living in Canada who took part in the 2005 Canadian Health Survey.

There are several ways in which divorce and stroke risk could be linked, she said. For example, children whose parents divorce are more likely to grow up in poverty than children of intact families, and childhood poverty is a risk factor for many adult health conditions.

Childhood stress could also link the two, Fuller-Thomson said. Previous work on childhood poverty and abuse has suggested severe and chronic stress in childhood can alter the development of the body’s regulation of the stress hormone cortisol, which could in turn, make people vulnerable to a range of diseases over time.

A study carried by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that roughly one in every five adult Americans suffered from mental illness in 2009. The survey has investigated 67,500 adults over the course of the year.

It was discovered that of the 45 million Americans who suffered from mental illness last year, 11 million suffered serious illness and 8.4 million contemplated suicide. About 20 percent of all mental illness patients also reported a dependency on drugs or alcohol, with that number increasing to 25.7 percent for the severe cases.

“The consequences for individuals, families and communities can be devastating. If left untreated mental illnesses can result in disability, substance abuse, suicides, lost productivity, and family discord.

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(IBTimes)–A new line of underwear that will help Australians couples conceive a child is launched today by Mitch Dowd, in partnership with Bayer Australia. The fertility-friendly underwear and sleepwear is part of Fashion for Fertility campaign, which aims to assist one in six Australian couple who are encountering problems with conceiving, and also to raise awareness of pre-conception planning and fertility.

Research have shown that loose fitting underwear using breathable materials may assist healthy sperm production.

With this in mind, Mitch Dowd designed a fitted trunk with more room in the pouch giving wearers a choice between traditional woven boxer shorts and the now fitted trunk with more room to move. The range Gender Symbol Trunks and Basic Mid Length Trunk will hit Myer stores from November with proceeds going to fertility research.

The female sleepwear collection, Loose Fit Butterfly Sleeve Tee, Gender Symbol Stripe Tank, and Poplin Shorts or Pant are sold in sets and feature button-up tops designed for breastfeeding.

Young health and fashion conscious parents, swimming champion Michael and his wife Lindy Klim will serve as Fashion for Fertility Ambassadors in partnership with Mitch Dowd and Bayer Australia.

“Before becoming parents we were very conscious of lifestyle and diet to give our kids the best possible health. We’re now very lucky to have two healthy children who are happy and full of life,” said Michael Klim.

Michael’s wife, Lindy Klim said that pregnancy is physically demanding and looking after your body before, during and after pregnancy will help you and your baby.

“I was always monitoring my food and took Elevit supplements to maintain high levels of vital nutrients. A sleepwear range designed for breastfeeding is a great idea and will help women get used to motherhood,” she said.

In addition to wearing form friendly underwear, minimising exposure to pollution and stress can also improve a man’s sperm health.

Antioxidants can also help improve sperm health. For women, important vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, iron and iodine play vital roles in the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies.